Type 3 Sturge-Weber Syndrome Presenting With Concurrent Epilepsy and Migraine
Sturge-Weber syndrome is a rare congenital disorder with vascular malformations affecting the brain, skin, and eyes. Type 3 Sturge-Weber syndrome, the rarest form, presents with isolated leptomeningeal angiomas, often causing diagnostic delays. This report highlights an unusual presentation where both recurrent focal seizures and migraine-like headaches were prominent, long-standing features. A 30-year-old man presented with two focal seizures affecting the right side of his body, preceded by aura and followed by postictal confusion, right-sided weakness, and migraine-like headache with photophobia and vomiting. He had experienced focal seizures since childhood, with worsening postictal symptoms and progressive headaches over time. Examination revealed disorientation and right-sided weakness, while laboratory findings showed hyperglycemia, consistent with undiagnosed diabetes. Neuroimaging revealed leptomeningeal enhancement, tram-track calcifications, and cortical atrophy in the left parietal region, confirming type 3 Sturge-Weber syndrome. Notably, the patient had newly diagnosed diabetes, suggesting a possible metabolic link to Sturge-Weber syndrome. Management included antiepileptic therapy and glycemic control, leading to clinical improvement. The heterogeneous neurological presentation of type 3 Sturge-Weber syndrome often delays recognition. Early neuroimaging and a high index of suspicion are essential for timely diagnosis, particularly in the absence of cutaneous features.
Authors
- Abdul Samad Mumtaz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7034-9203)
- Muhammad Usman (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5032-3292)
- Akawish Jahan
- Zoreiz Z Cheema
- Nadia Siddiq
Institutions
- Fatima Jinnah Medical University (PK)
- UW Health University Hospital (US)
- Mayo Hospital (PK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Cureus
- Published
- 2025-11-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.96262
- Primary Topic
- Vascular Malformations and Hemangiomas
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00